Dodgers at Diamondbacks
The Los Angeles Dodgers have won the National League West title each of the last five seasons, but the Arizona Diamondbacks appear intent on ending the streak. After winning the longest game in Chase Field history and beating Clayton Kershaw in back-to-back games, the Diamondbacks on Wednesday aim for a sweep of their three-game series against the visiting Dodgers, who are off to a 2-4 start.
One night after opening the set with a 15-inning, 8-7 victory that lasted 5 hours, 45 minutes, Arizona cruised to a 6-1 victory on Tuesday against Kershaw, who fell to 0-2 for the first time since 2009. The Diamondbacks played without All-Star third baseman Jake Lamb, who landed on the 10-day disabled list with an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder that is expected to keep him out for two-to-three weeks. Deven Marrero started in Lamb's place and batted seventh in front of John Ryan Murphy, who belted a solo homer among his two hits. The Dodgers were held to four hits and need more production from Logan Forsythe, who is starting at third base for Justin Turner (broken wrist) and has recorded only two hits in his first 21 at-bats.
TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Alex Wood (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (1-0, 3.18)
Wood was brilliant against San Francisco on Friday, allowing one hit with five strikeouts while throwing 90 pitches over eight scoreless innings. The 27-year-old is looking to repeat his strong start to 2017, when he posted 10 wins and a 1.67 ERA in the first half before battling injuries. A.J. Pollock is 7-for-16 with two homers against Wood, who is 5-3 with a 3.06 ERA in eight career starts versus Arizona.
Corbin made his first career Opening Day start on Thursday, allowing two runs and seven hits with eight strikeouts in an 8-2 victory over Colorado. The 28-year-old native of New York is looking to build on his numbers from last season, when he matched his career highs in wins, starts and strikeouts. Corbin owns a 3-9 record and 4.42 ERA in 16 career games (14 starts) against the Dodgers and has struggled versus Yasiel Puig (7-for-20, homer) and Forsythe (6-for-13).
WALK-OFFS
1. The Diamondbacks have won eight straight regular-season meetings with the Dodgers.
2. Los Angeles purchased the contract of Zach Neal from Triple-A Oklahoma City and placed fellow RHP Josh Fields on the paternity list.
3. Arizona recalled RHP Matt Koch from Triple-A Reno to take Lamb’s spot on the roster.